Division One Preview

1 November 2002 09:30

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Carmarthen Quins are hot on the heels of leaders Pontypool as the 16 of the 18 Division One teams go into their 12th matches of the season on Saturday.

The Quins will have the services of Llanelli fly half Gareth Bowen and lock Paul Clapham for their home match against Llandovery, for whom another Llanelli player, Tal Selly, has been a regular scorer, but the Drovers will be without lock Lyndon Bateman, who is needed by Neath against Caerphilly.

Pontypool fly half Byron Haywood requires 30 points to become the third player in Welsh League history to reach 2,000 points. Pooler go to Beddau with Hayward keen to follow Neil Jenkins and Jason Williams to that mark.

Aberavon are likely to be too strong for Blackwood at Glan-yr-Afon Park, with the home side having a huge injury list.

** Click here for the fixtures and results table

Bonymaen are without injured skipper Darren Poland as they go for a fourth successive win when they entertain Bedwas, whle improving Llanharan, under new coach Dennis John entertain Cross Keys at the Dairy Field.

At the bottom, both Rumney and Treorchy are at home. Rumney meet Whitland, while Treorchy entertain Tredegar at the Oval and both are likely to be close encounters.

Newbridge and Tondu should provide points galore at the Welfare Ground and Narberth take on Glamorgan Wanderers at the Lewis Lloyd Ground in another match that promises plenty of running rugby.

British & Irish Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial NatWest 6 Nations encounter in Dublin against Ireland where Warren Gatland's men will be seeking their second scalp of the campaign.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde has given Welsh fans a major boost ahead of this weekend's vital NatWest 6 Nations clash by declaring "Everybody has been given the green light," with injured trio Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny all back in training.

The Wales squad met back up this morning to prepare for the clash against England - WRU TV caught up with Neil Jenkins who said the squad were under no illusions for their next task but a trip to Twickenham doesn't hold any fears for a confident Wales side.

Wales hooker Ken Owens was delighted to get the NatWest 6 Nations off to a flying start with a convincing win against Scotland, where he says the squad were determined to deliver a performance 'from minute one.'

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Just two days until the NatWest 6 Nations kicks off. George North takes WRU TV around the players area at Principality Stadium after going through security - which fans will have to do on Saturday. Gates open at 11.15 - don't leave it late!

Next in the series of #TheTeamRoom we listen in to the first leadership group in camp. The players were asked to nominate their peers who they wanted to represent them on the group and we hear what Warren and the players have to say.